Mercury Theatre Wynnum
PLAYING BY THE BAY SINCE 1949
Performance Dates:
7:30pm: Friday, 3 and Saturday 4 June 2022
7:30pm: Friday, 10 and Saturday, 11 June 2022
7:30pm: Friday, 17 and Saturday, 18 June 2022
All performances held at
Manly-Lota RSL Hall, 184 Melville Terrace, Manly.
Cost: $25 per ticket (no concessions)
(Online tickets only, no door sales)
About this Production
Set in the fictional northwestern Louisiana parish of Chinquapin, the play opens at Truvy's in-home beauty parlour where a group of women regularly gather. They discuss Shelby's upcoming wedding to her fiancé, Jackson. The plot covers events over the next three years relating to Shelby's Type 1 diabetes, and how the women cope with their conflicts, while remaining friends: Shelby's decision to have a child despite jeopardizing her health, Clairee's friendship with the curmudgeon Ouiser; Annelle's transformation from a shy, anxious newcomer in town to a good-time girl then repentant revival-tent Christian; and Truvy's relationships with the men in her family. Although the main storyline involves Shelby, her mother M'Lynn, and Shelby's medical battles, the group's underlying friendship is prominent throughout the drama
Directed by Ric Medlin
Ric is a long-term member of Mercury Theatre having joined the youth theatre as a child. Ric has been an integral part of our theatre as an active member, actor, director, committee member and participating in all roles within the theatre over the years. Ric has directed several plays with Mercury, most recently “It’s My Party…and I’ll Die If I Want To” and also with Mt Cotton Drama Group where he Directed “The Opposite Sex”. Ric has extensive experience with all aspects of the theatre and was awarded Life Membership in 2021.
Cast and Crew
Truvy Jones
played by Toni Griffin
Toni has been part of Mercury for over 25 years and involved in more than 30 productions. She played "Annelle" in 1999 when Mercury fist staged it and is relishing the opportunity at being promoted to "Truvy". When not taking care of her clients she is Mother Hen to preps during the day and keeping her own 3 chick's & rooster in check.
Annelle Dupuy-Desoto
played by Darsha Hockings
Darsha has been involved in many plays and musicals since she was 10 years old ranging from “The Jungle Book”, “Mary Poppins” and “The Addams Family”, to “Ladies of Spirit” and now “Steel Magnolias”. She loves the process of delving into the characters and bringing their stories to life. Darsha has a great passion for theatre and thoroughly enjoys learning about what it takes to put on a show.
Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie
played by Anwen Jones
It didn't take long for Anwen to find her feet on a stage, with her love of drama and theatre beginning in primary school. During her teenage years, she was involved in Mercury Youth Theatre's Dick Whittington, and Savoyards' Carousel. Anwen quickly joined Mercury as an adult member, where she had roles in Murder at the Music Hall, My Father's Nuts and Secret Bridesmaid's Business. After having some time away, Anwen is very excited to be back on stage for this beautiful, well-loved story.
Ouiser Bourdeaux
played by Helen Haberland
Mercury has been my theatrical home for 14 years and I have indulged in every aspect on stage and behind the scenes. From Comedy, to Musicals and the occasional Drama, I’ve always looked for fun, engaging and strong female characters to play.
M’Lynn Eatenton
played by Liz Hull
Liz came to Australia from the UK in 2014, and moved to Brisbane just last year with her husband and 5 year old. She loved acting when at school and was a regular lead in comedy roles. In the last 20 years, due to work (boo!), she has only been able to fit in a few small roles in community panto, until very recently. Since moving to Brisbane, Liz has appeared as Detective Bribe in Red Riding Hood to the Rescue and most recently as Alice in the Vicar of Dibley, both at Sunnybank Theatre. She is loving working and learning with such a talented and friendly team at Mercury theatre, and hopes everyone loves what we have been creating. She has also enjoyed using her procurement skills to source random salon set items for very reasonable prices!
Clairee Belcher
played by Silvana Siliato
Silvana has been with Mercury for about 7 years – a relative newcomer. She started out helping with back stage duties and, with a bit of encouragement auditioned for her first play. She has performed in “Rude Awakenings”, “Do Not Disturb”, “It’s a Wonderful Life” for Mercury and in “Kitchen Diva” with Mates Genesis.
Silvana has also directed several plays with our theatre – “The Traveller’s Table” by Hugh O’Brien, “California Suite” by Neil Simon and “Ladies of Spirit” by Georgina Reid.
A special thanks also to Michael Thwaites, Glenda Markwell, and the Front-Of-House team for their contribution to the production of Steel Magnolias.
If you are interested in joining Mercury Theatre Wynnum,
or attending any of our upcoming plays
please add your name to our CONTACTS page.